CA2416055C - Control device of simple construction for a household electrical appliance - Google Patents
Control device of simple construction for a household electrical appliance Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2416055C CA2416055C CA 2416055 CA2416055A CA2416055C CA 2416055 C CA2416055 C CA 2416055C CA 2416055 CA2416055 CA 2416055 CA 2416055 A CA2416055 A CA 2416055A CA 2416055 C CA2416055 C CA 2416055C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- appliance
- household electrical
- circuit
- electrical appliance
- interface
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/42—Details
- A47L15/4293—Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F34/28—Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
- G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
- G05B19/04—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers
- G05B19/042—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using digital processors
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2600/00—Control issues
- F25B2600/07—Remote controls
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/36—Visual displays
- F25D2400/361—Interactive visual displays
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
- F25D2700/08—Sensors using Radio Frequency Identification [RFID]
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
- G05B2219/20—Pc systems
- G05B2219/25—Pc structure of the system
- G05B2219/25196—Radio link, transponder
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
- G05B2219/20—Pc systems
- G05B2219/26—Pc applications
- G05B2219/2633—Washing, laundry
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
- G05B2219/20—Pc systems
- G05B2219/26—Pc applications
- G05B2219/2643—Oven, cooking
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2207/00—Connections
- H01H2207/048—Inductive or infrared coupling
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
- H01H2300/03—Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
- H01H2300/032—Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring using RFID technology in switching devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
- H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
- H01H3/16—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. for a door switch, a limit switch, a floor-levelling switch of a lift
- H01H3/161—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. for a door switch, a limit switch, a floor-levelling switch of a lift for actuation by moving a closing member, e.g. door, cover or lid
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Electric Ovens (AREA)
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
- Cookers (AREA)
- Control Of Electric Motors In General (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
- Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A control device for a household electrical appliance such as a refrigerator (1), an electric or microwave oven, a dishwasher, a washing machine or the like, said appliance (1) comprising an interface (10, 110) enabling a user to intervene on its functional members (12) such as an electric motor, a motor-driven compressor, a heater element or the like controlled by command and control means (11) of the appliance (1), the interface (10, 110) comprising selection means (15, 115) to enable the said intervention; said selection means (15, 115) are connected to a resonant electrical circuit (22, 122) arranged to generate or to respond to a radio-frequency signal in a modifiable manner representative of the setting effected by the user, said signal being sensed by sensor means (41, 141) associated with the command and control means (11) and enabling these latter to intervene in the appropriate manner on said functional members (12).
Description
CONTROL DEVICE OF SIMPLE CONSTRUCTION FOR A
HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE
The present invention relates to a control device for a household electrical appliance.
Various types of devices are known for controlling the operation of a household electrical appliance such as a refrigerator, an electric or microwave oven, a washing machine or the like. They are positioned on a °'user interface°' generally associated with a part of the appliance structure or cabinet.
It is also known to position this interface on the door covering the cavity or chamber (preservation; wash or cooking) of the appliance in which the "load'° (food, crockery, laundry, etc.) is placed for subjection to an intervention (preservation, wash, cooking etc.); in this case the interface and the means for setting the control means for the various operational members of the appliance (electric motor, compressor, heater elements or microwave generators) are connected to said control means generally by electrical connection members which have however to enable the door 'to move relative to the (fixed) structure of the appliance. This is a problem which requires considerable effort for its solution, with corresponding design and construction costs which affect the final cost of the appliance:
Another technical problem is the poor flexibility of the appliance user interface, in that once the position of the various buttons or knobs of the interface has been determined, it is not simple to change their ~ 02416055 2003-O1-10 positioning without having to redesign the printed circuits (PCBs) which lie below the user interface.
An object of the present invention is to provide . a device for controlling the operation of a household electrical appliance, of the type comprising an interface positioned on this latter, which is of simple construction, is of low cost and enables the aforestated technical problems to be overcome.
Another object is to provide a device of the aforestated type which is simple and reliable to use.
These and further objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a device in accordance with the accompanying claims.
The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a household electrical appliance, a refrigerator in the example, which is provided with a device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective front view of a part of the refrigerator of Figure 1 in which the device of the invention is present;
Figure 3 is a schematic; diagram showing an ~electrical/electronic circuit enabling the operation of the appliance of Figure 1 to be set;
Figure 4 is a schematic view of another household electrical appliance, an oven in this example, provided with a device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of Figure 4.
With reference to said figures, a refrigerator is shown schematically in Figure 1 and is indicated by 1. The refrigerator can be of the known static or fan-assisted type.
In the example the refrigerator is an upright refrigerator, and comprises a structure or cabinet 1A having at least one internal compartment 2 presenting opposing side walls 3, 4. Usual supports are present on the side walls for supporting shelves 6. The compartment 2 is open at 7 where a door 8 is located, movable relative to the structure 1A on hinges 9. ~n the door 8 an interface is present for setting the operation of the refrigerator operational members. Spec~cally, this interface forms part of a device according to the invention and cooperates with command and control means 11 for said members which in this case define the components of a refrigeration circuit schematically shown in Figure 2 and indicated by 12. By means of the interface 10 and the device of the invention, a user pan set the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1, and verify data concerning the food contained within the compartment 2 on the shelves 6 or other possibly available data presented on a display (not shown) associated with the interface 10.
The interface 10 comprises a plurality of pushbuttons 15 accessible on a (front) face 13 of the door 8 and is connected to means 16 for setting the operation of the household electrical appliance or for setting its special characteristics (in the case of the refrigerator 1, the internal temperature of its compartment 2). These means cooperate with the pushbuttons 15 and are preferably positioned in correspondence with an (inner) face 18 of the door 8 facing towards the aperture 7 of the refrigerator structure 1A. These means for setting for example the interns( temperature of the compartment 2 are an electrical and/or electronic circuit 22 which i~~ inserted into the door 8 in a suitable manner, and can be of active type (i.e. self powered, for example by batteries) or of passive type.
In the figures, the circuit 22 is an electrical circuit of passive type defined by a resonant RLC circuit comprising an inductor 23 positioned in correspondence with the face 18 of the door 8 and a plurality of capacitors (for example four, as in the figures where they are indicated by 26, 27, 28 and 29) of different capacitance values.
Each capacitor is connected on one side to an electrical line 30 connected to one end 23A of the- inductor 23, and on the other side to a change-over switch (31, 32,33 and 34 respectively) arranged to connect each capacitor to an electrical branch 38 connected to the other end 23B of the inductor 23. In the example, the switches are connected in any known manner to the pushbuttons 15, which enable a different switch to be operated, in order to connect the corresponding capacitor to the inductor and hence modify the resonance frequency of the circuit 22. According to a variant of the invention, the switches 31, 32, 33 and 34 are the actual pushbuttons of the interface 10. The pushbuttons 15 can, for example, enable a temperature to be selected suitable for preserving different foods.
For this purpose, each pushbutton carries a symbol corresponding to a particular food. Alternatively, the pushbuttons 15 can be defined by one or more slidable selectors movable along the interface 10 on ~J
the outside of the door or by a slidable selector cooperating with reed relays defining the change-over switches: in this case the selector carries a magnet which by sliding in front of the relay defining the switch, closes it onto the corresponding electrical line. This leads to the selection of a particular capacitance value for the circuit 22 and hence to the selection of a particular resonance frequency. For each variation in the frequency of the circuit 22 it is thus possible to define, in the example under examination, a corresponding respective desired temperature within the compartment 2, this temperature being selected for example by the pushbuttons 15.
The various configurations of the switcheslrelays 31, 32, 33 and 34 corresponding to the various temperatures of the compartment 2 (or, in general, to various functions of the household electrical appliance) .
are properly displayed, with their relative functional characteristics, on the interface 10.
To achieve operation of the device of the invention, within the front wall 100 of the structure 1A opposite the inner face 18 of the door 8 there is positioned an inductor 41 connected to an oscillating circuit 42, itself connected to the refrigerator control means 11, for example a microprocessor circuit. ~n powering the oscillating circuit 42, of which the inductor 41 forms part, the circuit 22 is activated, each variation in the resonance frequency of said circuit 22 (obtained in the aforesaid manner) then. being "read" as a variation in the resonance of the circuit 42; this is then sensed by the circuit or control means 11 which on the basis of the variation act on the refrigeration circuit 12.
b Reference will now be made specifically to Figure 3, by which the use of the invention will be described.
It will be assumed that a refrigerator 1 is used provided with a device of the invention by which the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 2 is set.
As shown in Figure 3, the control circuit 11 (for example of microprocessor type) is connected to a known control voltage generator or sweep generator 50 which is connected to the oscillating circuit 42 operating with controlled voltage. The circuit 42 is for example a circuit known as a frequency swept oscillator, which is well known and consequently not further described.
On powering the circuit 42, of which the inductor 41 forms part, and varying the capacitance of the resonant circuit 22, there occurs, as stated, a variation in the resonance frequency of the oscillator, which is sensed by a usual signal sensor 55 (for. example a dip catcher circuit) and consequently determined by the circuit 11. On the basis of this determination, corresponding to the selection of a particular temperature within the compartment 2, the circuit 11 acts on the refrigeration circuit 12 to obtain the desired temperature within the compartment 2.
Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the invention in which identical or similar components are indicated by the same reference numerals as the preceding figures plus 100. Figure 4 relates to a domestic oven 101 having a user interface 110 positioned above the oven door 108. The inductor 141 of the oscillating circuit associated with the interface 110 is in the form of a flat coil (shown schematically in Figure 4) which surrounds substantially the entire area of the user. interface 110. Each pushbutton 115 presents its own RLC passive resonant circuit 122 and comprises an inductor 123 (of flat coil type in the example of Figure 5) and a plurality of, capacitors (for example three in Figure 4, indicated by 126, 12 r~ and 128) of different capacitance values. The capacitors are connected to the ends of the coil 123 via change-over switches (131, 132 and 133 respectively) operable by the pushbuttons 115 (in the example of Figure 5 the respective pushbutton 115 is of three-position type) to modify the resonance frequency of the circuit 122. It is apparent that the shape of the inductor 141 makes the sensing of the response of each individual oscillating circuit 122 totally independent of the position of the respective pushbuttons 115. In other words, the position of the pushbuttons 115 can be varied at will (provided they remain within the perimeter defined by the coil 141 ), without having to modify any electronic circuit, with obvious advantages in terms of design flexibility in the panel layout of the user interface. This latter can be provided in known manner, with display devices V for the characteristics set by the user, for example the temperature of the oven interior.
Two embodiments of the invention have been described. Others can however be obtained in the light of the present invention. For example, as stated, the circuit 22 can be of active type and comprise remote connection means (for example of radio-frequency or other type) arranged to dialogue directly with the control means 11 in order g to "inform" these latter of the .temperature selected by the user in correspondence with the shelf 6. Alternatively, the circuit 22 can be of the described type, but self powered and cooperating with a device (passive, of inductor type) which is connected to the means 11 but does not comprise the oscillator 42, the generator 50 or the sensor 55.
The described examples refer to a device according to the invention associated with a refrigerator or with an oven. The device can however be applied to any household electrical appliance such as a dishwasher, a washing machine, a washing-drying machine or a dryer. !n ail these cases, such a device, used to set various appliance functions (for example cooking temperature, power, wash program, etc.) and presenting a resonant circuit 22 in the door and control means associated with the appliance structure, enables a °°user interface°' to be positioned on said door without any positioning constraint arising related to the presence of electrical connections between the interface end the means 11. This also enables ergonomic positioning of the interface on the appliance door.
Although the described examples refer to a resonant electrical circuit, this definition covers all other types of electronic circuits which utilize the accumulated energy to respond with a radio-frequency signal with known methods of modulating the signal. For example, such electronic circuits comprise RFID (radio frequency identification) devices which can be associated with the user interface pushbuttons of the appliance.
HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE
The present invention relates to a control device for a household electrical appliance.
Various types of devices are known for controlling the operation of a household electrical appliance such as a refrigerator, an electric or microwave oven, a washing machine or the like. They are positioned on a °'user interface°' generally associated with a part of the appliance structure or cabinet.
It is also known to position this interface on the door covering the cavity or chamber (preservation; wash or cooking) of the appliance in which the "load'° (food, crockery, laundry, etc.) is placed for subjection to an intervention (preservation, wash, cooking etc.); in this case the interface and the means for setting the control means for the various operational members of the appliance (electric motor, compressor, heater elements or microwave generators) are connected to said control means generally by electrical connection members which have however to enable the door 'to move relative to the (fixed) structure of the appliance. This is a problem which requires considerable effort for its solution, with corresponding design and construction costs which affect the final cost of the appliance:
Another technical problem is the poor flexibility of the appliance user interface, in that once the position of the various buttons or knobs of the interface has been determined, it is not simple to change their ~ 02416055 2003-O1-10 positioning without having to redesign the printed circuits (PCBs) which lie below the user interface.
An object of the present invention is to provide . a device for controlling the operation of a household electrical appliance, of the type comprising an interface positioned on this latter, which is of simple construction, is of low cost and enables the aforestated technical problems to be overcome.
Another object is to provide a device of the aforestated type which is simple and reliable to use.
These and further objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a device in accordance with the accompanying claims.
The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a household electrical appliance, a refrigerator in the example, which is provided with a device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective front view of a part of the refrigerator of Figure 1 in which the device of the invention is present;
Figure 3 is a schematic; diagram showing an ~electrical/electronic circuit enabling the operation of the appliance of Figure 1 to be set;
Figure 4 is a schematic view of another household electrical appliance, an oven in this example, provided with a device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of Figure 4.
With reference to said figures, a refrigerator is shown schematically in Figure 1 and is indicated by 1. The refrigerator can be of the known static or fan-assisted type.
In the example the refrigerator is an upright refrigerator, and comprises a structure or cabinet 1A having at least one internal compartment 2 presenting opposing side walls 3, 4. Usual supports are present on the side walls for supporting shelves 6. The compartment 2 is open at 7 where a door 8 is located, movable relative to the structure 1A on hinges 9. ~n the door 8 an interface is present for setting the operation of the refrigerator operational members. Spec~cally, this interface forms part of a device according to the invention and cooperates with command and control means 11 for said members which in this case define the components of a refrigeration circuit schematically shown in Figure 2 and indicated by 12. By means of the interface 10 and the device of the invention, a user pan set the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1, and verify data concerning the food contained within the compartment 2 on the shelves 6 or other possibly available data presented on a display (not shown) associated with the interface 10.
The interface 10 comprises a plurality of pushbuttons 15 accessible on a (front) face 13 of the door 8 and is connected to means 16 for setting the operation of the household electrical appliance or for setting its special characteristics (in the case of the refrigerator 1, the internal temperature of its compartment 2). These means cooperate with the pushbuttons 15 and are preferably positioned in correspondence with an (inner) face 18 of the door 8 facing towards the aperture 7 of the refrigerator structure 1A. These means for setting for example the interns( temperature of the compartment 2 are an electrical and/or electronic circuit 22 which i~~ inserted into the door 8 in a suitable manner, and can be of active type (i.e. self powered, for example by batteries) or of passive type.
In the figures, the circuit 22 is an electrical circuit of passive type defined by a resonant RLC circuit comprising an inductor 23 positioned in correspondence with the face 18 of the door 8 and a plurality of capacitors (for example four, as in the figures where they are indicated by 26, 27, 28 and 29) of different capacitance values.
Each capacitor is connected on one side to an electrical line 30 connected to one end 23A of the- inductor 23, and on the other side to a change-over switch (31, 32,33 and 34 respectively) arranged to connect each capacitor to an electrical branch 38 connected to the other end 23B of the inductor 23. In the example, the switches are connected in any known manner to the pushbuttons 15, which enable a different switch to be operated, in order to connect the corresponding capacitor to the inductor and hence modify the resonance frequency of the circuit 22. According to a variant of the invention, the switches 31, 32, 33 and 34 are the actual pushbuttons of the interface 10. The pushbuttons 15 can, for example, enable a temperature to be selected suitable for preserving different foods.
For this purpose, each pushbutton carries a symbol corresponding to a particular food. Alternatively, the pushbuttons 15 can be defined by one or more slidable selectors movable along the interface 10 on ~J
the outside of the door or by a slidable selector cooperating with reed relays defining the change-over switches: in this case the selector carries a magnet which by sliding in front of the relay defining the switch, closes it onto the corresponding electrical line. This leads to the selection of a particular capacitance value for the circuit 22 and hence to the selection of a particular resonance frequency. For each variation in the frequency of the circuit 22 it is thus possible to define, in the example under examination, a corresponding respective desired temperature within the compartment 2, this temperature being selected for example by the pushbuttons 15.
The various configurations of the switcheslrelays 31, 32, 33 and 34 corresponding to the various temperatures of the compartment 2 (or, in general, to various functions of the household electrical appliance) .
are properly displayed, with their relative functional characteristics, on the interface 10.
To achieve operation of the device of the invention, within the front wall 100 of the structure 1A opposite the inner face 18 of the door 8 there is positioned an inductor 41 connected to an oscillating circuit 42, itself connected to the refrigerator control means 11, for example a microprocessor circuit. ~n powering the oscillating circuit 42, of which the inductor 41 forms part, the circuit 22 is activated, each variation in the resonance frequency of said circuit 22 (obtained in the aforesaid manner) then. being "read" as a variation in the resonance of the circuit 42; this is then sensed by the circuit or control means 11 which on the basis of the variation act on the refrigeration circuit 12.
b Reference will now be made specifically to Figure 3, by which the use of the invention will be described.
It will be assumed that a refrigerator 1 is used provided with a device of the invention by which the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 2 is set.
As shown in Figure 3, the control circuit 11 (for example of microprocessor type) is connected to a known control voltage generator or sweep generator 50 which is connected to the oscillating circuit 42 operating with controlled voltage. The circuit 42 is for example a circuit known as a frequency swept oscillator, which is well known and consequently not further described.
On powering the circuit 42, of which the inductor 41 forms part, and varying the capacitance of the resonant circuit 22, there occurs, as stated, a variation in the resonance frequency of the oscillator, which is sensed by a usual signal sensor 55 (for. example a dip catcher circuit) and consequently determined by the circuit 11. On the basis of this determination, corresponding to the selection of a particular temperature within the compartment 2, the circuit 11 acts on the refrigeration circuit 12 to obtain the desired temperature within the compartment 2.
Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the invention in which identical or similar components are indicated by the same reference numerals as the preceding figures plus 100. Figure 4 relates to a domestic oven 101 having a user interface 110 positioned above the oven door 108. The inductor 141 of the oscillating circuit associated with the interface 110 is in the form of a flat coil (shown schematically in Figure 4) which surrounds substantially the entire area of the user. interface 110. Each pushbutton 115 presents its own RLC passive resonant circuit 122 and comprises an inductor 123 (of flat coil type in the example of Figure 5) and a plurality of, capacitors (for example three in Figure 4, indicated by 126, 12 r~ and 128) of different capacitance values. The capacitors are connected to the ends of the coil 123 via change-over switches (131, 132 and 133 respectively) operable by the pushbuttons 115 (in the example of Figure 5 the respective pushbutton 115 is of three-position type) to modify the resonance frequency of the circuit 122. It is apparent that the shape of the inductor 141 makes the sensing of the response of each individual oscillating circuit 122 totally independent of the position of the respective pushbuttons 115. In other words, the position of the pushbuttons 115 can be varied at will (provided they remain within the perimeter defined by the coil 141 ), without having to modify any electronic circuit, with obvious advantages in terms of design flexibility in the panel layout of the user interface. This latter can be provided in known manner, with display devices V for the characteristics set by the user, for example the temperature of the oven interior.
Two embodiments of the invention have been described. Others can however be obtained in the light of the present invention. For example, as stated, the circuit 22 can be of active type and comprise remote connection means (for example of radio-frequency or other type) arranged to dialogue directly with the control means 11 in order g to "inform" these latter of the .temperature selected by the user in correspondence with the shelf 6. Alternatively, the circuit 22 can be of the described type, but self powered and cooperating with a device (passive, of inductor type) which is connected to the means 11 but does not comprise the oscillator 42, the generator 50 or the sensor 55.
The described examples refer to a device according to the invention associated with a refrigerator or with an oven. The device can however be applied to any household electrical appliance such as a dishwasher, a washing machine, a washing-drying machine or a dryer. !n ail these cases, such a device, used to set various appliance functions (for example cooking temperature, power, wash program, etc.) and presenting a resonant circuit 22 in the door and control means associated with the appliance structure, enables a °°user interface°' to be positioned on said door without any positioning constraint arising related to the presence of electrical connections between the interface end the means 11. This also enables ergonomic positioning of the interface on the appliance door.
Although the described examples refer to a resonant electrical circuit, this definition covers all other types of electronic circuits which utilize the accumulated energy to respond with a radio-frequency signal with known methods of modulating the signal. For example, such electronic circuits comprise RFID (radio frequency identification) devices which can be associated with the user interface pushbuttons of the appliance.
Claims (8)
1. A household electrical appliance, said appliance comprising a control device, an interface on a door of the appliance enabling a user to intervene on functional members of the appliance such as an electric motor, a motor-driven compressor, a heater element controlled by command and control means of the appliance, the interface comprising selection means arranged to enable the said intervention aimed at setting or modifying an operative mode of the appliance, said selection means connected to a resonant electrical circuit arranged to generate or to respond to a radio-frequency signal in a modifiable manner representative of the setting effected by the user, said signal being sensed by sensor means associated with the command and control means and enabling these latter to intervene in the appropriate manner on the controlled functional members of the household electrical appliance, the resonant electrical circuit comprising a plurality of capacitors of mutually different capacitance values, selectively connectable to an inductor cooperating with an induction element associated with the command and control means and fixed to the household electrical appliance, said induction element defining the sensor means associated with the command and control means.
2. The household electrical appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resonant circuit is of passive type, the induction element being connected to an oscillating circuit connected in its turn to the control means and receiving an electrical signal from said circuit.
3. The household electrical appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resonant circuit is self-powered.
4. The household electrical appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection means functionally cooperate with the resonant circuit and are arranged to select a capacitor of capacitance value chosen on the basis of the particular setting or modification to the desired operative mode of the appliance.
5. The household electrical appliance as claimed in claim 4 wherein the selection means are a plurality of pushbuttons operationally connected to the various capacitors and present on the interface.
6. The household electrical appliance as claimed in claim 4 wherein the selection means act on switches arranged to connect different capacitors to the inductor.
7. The household electrical appliance as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of resonant electrical circuits, said induction element substantially enclosing the area defined by the user interface in such a manner as to be able to sense the response signals emitted by each of the resonant electrical circuits independently of their position on the interface.
8. The household electrical appliance as claimed in claim 7 wherein selection means correspond with each resonant electrical circuit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT2002MI000053A ITMI20020053A1 (en) | 2002-01-14 | 2002-01-14 | CONTROL DEVICE OF A SIMPLE MANUFACTURING HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE |
ITMI2002A000053 | 2002-01-14 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2416055A1 CA2416055A1 (en) | 2003-07-14 |
CA2416055C true CA2416055C (en) | 2015-04-07 |
Family
ID=11448863
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA 2416055 Expired - Fee Related CA2416055C (en) | 2002-01-14 | 2003-01-10 | Control device of simple construction for a household electrical appliance |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6786058B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1327921B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE441880T1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2416055C (en) |
DE (1) | DE60329044D1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2332776T3 (en) |
IT (1) | ITMI20020053A1 (en) |
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DE10218731A1 (en) * | 2001-04-27 | 2002-12-12 | Denso Corp | Air conditioner with a drive-driven compressor for vehicles to stop without an engine |
ITMI20011798A1 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2003-02-14 | Whirlpool Co | REMOVABLE ELEMENT TO SUPPORT FOODS IN A REFRIGERATOR WITH MEANS SUITABLE TO SET THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COMPARTMENT IN WHICH IT IS PLACED, AND REFRIGERATORS |
DE10219486A1 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2003-11-20 | Rudolf Faude | Electric cooling device |
US7090141B2 (en) * | 2003-03-10 | 2006-08-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Networking system of refrigerator and method for operating the same |
US6841763B1 (en) * | 2003-08-27 | 2005-01-11 | Ksp Technologies Corp. | Heat induction workstation |
US20050228536A1 (en) * | 2004-04-08 | 2005-10-13 | Mohr Guenther A | Dispensing station |
EP1714604B1 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2007-12-12 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Built-in dishwashing machine |
US7721797B2 (en) | 2005-04-25 | 2010-05-25 | Be Intellectual Property, Inc. | Refrigerator-oven combination for an aircraft galley food service system |
EP1724541A1 (en) * | 2005-05-18 | 2006-11-22 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Food temperature setting using RFID technology |
DE102005046803B4 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2008-04-03 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Dishwasher with spray arm |
WO2007094543A2 (en) * | 2006-02-15 | 2007-08-23 | Lg Electronics, Inc. | Refrigerator |
WO2007094556A2 (en) * | 2006-02-15 | 2007-08-23 | Lg Electronics, Inc. | Non-freezing refrigerator |
US8075074B2 (en) * | 2006-03-24 | 2011-12-13 | Whirlpool Corporation | Door to cabinet interface for refrigerator |
EP1862624B1 (en) * | 2006-06-01 | 2017-02-15 | Pilz Auslandsbeteiligungen GmbH | Closing device for an access protection device |
ITMI20072129A1 (en) * | 2007-11-07 | 2009-05-08 | Whirlpool Co | USER INTERFACE FOR THE COMMAND OF A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCED TO THE LAST |
US8006687B2 (en) * | 2008-09-12 | 2011-08-30 | General Electric Company | Appliance with a vacuum-based reverse airflow cooling system |
US8141549B2 (en) * | 2008-09-12 | 2012-03-27 | General Electric Company | Appliance with a vacuum-based reverse airflow cooling system using one fan |
US20100161519A1 (en) * | 2008-12-22 | 2010-06-24 | Whirlpool Corporation | Method of providing a replacement component |
US20100154173A1 (en) * | 2008-12-22 | 2010-06-24 | Whirlpool Corporation | Replacement handle with power supply |
US20100154172A1 (en) * | 2008-12-22 | 2010-06-24 | Whirlpool Corporation | Handle with docking station |
US8053935B2 (en) * | 2008-12-22 | 2011-11-08 | Whirlpool Corporation | Adapter retrofit by replacement component |
EP2254280A1 (en) * | 2009-05-19 | 2010-11-24 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Bus control for a domestic appliance |
CN101950160B (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2013-04-10 | 深圳和而泰智能控制股份有限公司 | Anti-jamming method of electrical appliance, control system and corresponding electrical appliance |
US9466439B2 (en) | 2013-06-26 | 2016-10-11 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance and method of operation for a laundry treating appliance |
US10908762B2 (en) * | 2015-07-20 | 2021-02-02 | Whirlpool Corporation | Household appliance closure element with touch interface |
US10887125B2 (en) * | 2017-09-15 | 2021-01-05 | Kohler Co. | Bathroom speaker |
EP3608936A1 (en) * | 2018-08-06 | 2020-02-12 | EAO Holding AG | Device for detecting a switching procedure through a gap |
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KR920003005A (en) * | 1990-07-05 | 1992-02-28 | 강진구 | Air conditioner |
FR2699349B1 (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1995-02-24 | Jaeger Regulation | Keyboard for harsh environment and cooking appliance comprising such a keyboard. |
KR0125753B1 (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 1998-04-01 | 김광호 | Refrigerator having a fermentation chamber and control method thereof |
EP0688102B1 (en) * | 1994-06-09 | 1999-07-28 | Whirlpool Europe B.V. | Finger-touch radiofrequency control device for household electrical appliances, such as ovens, cooking hobs, cookers, washing machines, dishwashers and the like |
US6249673B1 (en) * | 1998-11-09 | 2001-06-19 | Philip Y. W. Tsui | Universal transmitter |
WO2001042865A1 (en) * | 1999-12-10 | 2001-06-14 | Gentech Investment Group Ag. | Man-machine interface having relative position sensor |
ITMI20011798A1 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2003-02-14 | Whirlpool Co | REMOVABLE ELEMENT TO SUPPORT FOODS IN A REFRIGERATOR WITH MEANS SUITABLE TO SET THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COMPARTMENT IN WHICH IT IS PLACED, AND REFRIGERATORS |
-
2002
- 2002-01-14 IT IT2002MI000053A patent/ITMI20020053A1/en unknown
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2003
- 2003-01-07 EP EP03000049A patent/EP1327921B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-01-07 DE DE60329044T patent/DE60329044D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-01-07 AT AT03000049T patent/ATE441880T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-01-07 ES ES03000049T patent/ES2332776T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-01-10 CA CA 2416055 patent/CA2416055C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-01-13 US US10/341,147 patent/US6786058B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
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US6786058B2 (en) | 2004-09-07 |
DE60329044D1 (en) | 2009-10-15 |
ES2332776T3 (en) | 2010-02-12 |
EP1327921A3 (en) | 2003-11-26 |
ITMI20020053A1 (en) | 2003-07-14 |
EP1327921B1 (en) | 2009-09-02 |
US20030131620A1 (en) | 2003-07-17 |
ATE441880T1 (en) | 2009-09-15 |
EP1327921A2 (en) | 2003-07-16 |
ITMI20020053A0 (en) | 2002-01-14 |
CA2416055A1 (en) | 2003-07-14 |
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Date | Code | Title | Description |
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EEER | Examination request | ||
MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20190110 |